Spirit of the Southwest Full Day Class - Carrie Tahquechi

Spirit of the Southwest Full-Day Class  Carrie Tahquechi

Carrie has designed some Southwest Images (the Roadrunner and the Cactus specifically for our class – however you may select any of the kit samples below.

                                   
All kit options will be available during the same class and taught using the same bead embroidery approach, giving students the opportunity to work in a style that best suits their personal taste while still enjoying the full class experience.  

Carrie Tahquechi - Instructor

  
Carrie Tahquechi is a lifelong creative and experienced instructor who is passionate about helping others discover the meditative joy of beadwork. Her approachable teaching style helps students build confidence through technique while encouraging personal expression and artistic instinct. She has taught at Rocky Mountain Bead Society, Enchanted Bead Retreat, Beader’s Dream Retreat 2025, and the Bead Cruise 2026.

Carrie brings a thoughtful balance of structure and intuition to her beadwork. She often begins with a sketch, then allows the beads themselves to shape the rhythm and flow of the design as it evolves. This interplay of planning and spontaneity gives each piece a distinctive, refined, and expressive voice full of creative life.

A distinctive part of Carrie’s work is her use of custom 3d printed frames that give her bead embroidery added structure and dimensionality. She combines these forms with traditional bead embroidery techniques and Native American stitches to create the final piece. The result is work that feels both sculptural and detailed, with a strong sense of form, texture, and movement.

Class Description:

Spirit of the Southwest is an intermediate bead embroidery class where students will create a necklace inspired by the colors and imagery of the high desert. Students may choose between a roadrunner or prickly pear cactus design (or other option), then use bead embroidery techniques including beaded backstitch and fringe to build a finished piece with texture, movement, and Southwestern character. The result is a bold and wearable necklace that celebrates iconic desert forms through beadwork.

This intermediate, full-day class is suited for students with some bead embroidery experience who are ready to build dimension and detail into a finished necklace project.

Additional Information:

The Spirit of Southwest is listed as intermediate mostly due to the amount of time spent doing backstitch and making it lay in a beautiful way, refining technique and fixing problem areas. Peyote takes a backstage here. Beaded back stitch is the primary stitch and most of our morning will be spent on this.  Once students have some lines down on their frame we discusss problem areas and how to fix those. Putting things together, the small bezel and finishing will be the afternoon tasks.

Students should bring needles, thread of choice, scissors, a work surface, task light, magnification if needed, and adhesive.

Skill Level:  Intermediate

This intermediate, full-day class is suited for students with some bead embroidery experience (such as backstitch, peyote and brick stitch edging) who are ready to build dimension and detail into a finished necklace project.

Class Costs:

• Kit fee $65 (Your kit choice will be purchased from Carrie at the class.)
• Class Fee $85 (full day class fee paid at registration)

Maximum Students: 15

Note: Complimentary beverages and snacks will be provided courtesy of The Bead Society of New Mexico.
The Range is open from 7:30am to 8:30. Feel free to enjoy a full breakfast or dinner before or after class with friends or family.